As he spoke, his gaze dimmed: "Actually, I... I have thought about telling you, but I’m still afraid."

"Afraid of what?"

"Do you remember that time we went to Ban Yan Temple to send off the spirits, and on our way up the mountain, we met Jiang Yu, who told the story about borrowing a corpse for reincarnation?"

"Of course, I remember."

Upon hearing this, Yu Wenye also recalled, especially the end of that story, where the snake catcher who reincarnated into the young miss’s body was nailed into the coffin and suffocated to death by her family because he was deemed a demon.

He said, "So, you didn’t tell because—"

Shang Ruyi looked down sadly and said, "I’m afraid you’ll think it’s bad luck and detest such supernatural things..."

Yu Wenye remained silent.

Indeed, the reason he could now hold this body so calmly and listen to her talk about these bizarre events was that he had already accepted the girl in his arms. Even if she really was reincarnated, as long as she was still her, the one who endured so many hardships with him and still moved his heart, it was enough.

Whether she was Shang Ruyi, Liang Ruyi, or even Zhang San, Li Si, or Wang Ergou, what did it matter?

However, if there were no such feelings between them—

He truly couldn’t guarantee that he wouldn’t feel disgusted by such supernatural talk, let alone marry her.

Identity has never been the reason for their closeness,

Feelings are.

As his heart settled, he felt genuinely calm, though another doubt arose in his mind. Yu Wenye asked, "But that soul, now Yu Mingyue, how does she have the ability of foreknowledge, and why do you know the future of the Emperor?"

Shang Ruyi said, "I don’t know why she has such an ability. It seems like her ’ability’ isn’t fortune-telling but more like... an instinct."

"Instinct?"

"Yes, it’s like she already knew these things."

Yu Wenye frowned, pondered for a moment, and looked at Shang Ruyi: "What about you?"

At this point, Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but chuckle lightly and said, "Do you remember when I told you that I’m not someone who allows herself to suffer losses?"

Upon mentioning this, Yu Wenye also smiled.

Of course, he remembered. Shang Ruyi said this when she told him how her finger was broken in a fight over food with beggars. Coming from an eminent family, she was well-bred, and such a pampered young miss would have been in a difficult position on the streets. But even though she was down and out, she refused to suffer any loss. Even if a group of beggars bullied her, she wouldn’t accept it and would fight to the death.

Without such a spirit—if she had been reincarnated, she wouldn’t have endured for so long.

Even in chaotic times, after surviving many calamities, she still emerged unscathed.

Yu Wenye laughed and said, "Of course, I remember."

Shang Ruyi said, "That thing tormented me for several days, making me gravely ill, almost pushing me out—wouldn’t that mean I would die? How could I endure such great humiliation?"

"..."

"So, I got angry and tore something from that other person."

"Tore?"

"I say tore, but I don’t really know what it was. In short, I snatched something from that soul. Then, suddenly, it seemed like I knew some things."

Yu Wenye’s breathing deepened: "Things about the Emperor?"

Shang Ruyi nodded.

She said, "Actually, after I snatched those things, they didn’t belong to me. To keep them, so they would be mine, I battled with them for a few days, my illness worsening. While in a daze, feeling like I could die any moment, I finally accepted those things."

"..."

"And learned a few things."

Yu Wenye’s breathing and heart seemed to stop, and his face grew serious as he said, "You learned that the Emperor will overthrow Daye, ascend to the throne, and become the Emperor Gaozu of the Dasheng Dynasty."

Shang Ruyi nodded: "Yes."

"What else?"

Seeing his flickering gaze, Shang Ruyi knew he understood something in his heart, but she, still instinctively, lowered her voice and softly said, "I also learned that his Crown Prince will lead a coup and be killed!"

"..."

"And his Crown Prince—"

Yu Wenye took a deep breath, his cold eyes flashing with a few icy glimmers as he said, "Is the one betrothed to you."

"..."

"My elder brother."